Oh gods.
“Really,” he said.
“Yes, and you know what that means. Someone is pregnant. My fish dream always comes true.”
“Well, it’s not me,” Quintus told her.
“It should be,” she said. “Why you and Donald aren’t together is beyond me. He’s good for you.” She walked over to the counter and sat down at one of the empty seats.
“He’s not my mate, Mama,” Quintus said, walking over to sit on the other stool.
“Who says he has to be your mate? Nothing wrong with having a little fun until your mate shows up.”
“I do have fun. But I’d rather wait for my mate, the way the fates aligned it.”
“You’re a good boy, Quinny. But lately, you’ve been working so much I think you’ve forgotten it’s okay to break the rules just a little.”
“Is that why you married Gabe? Breaking the rules? Or is it because you love him?”
“A little of both,” she said with a smile.
“Then let me find the one who will love me the way Gabe loves you.”
“I do love him,” she said wistfully.
“Then why haven’t you mated to him yet?”
“It’s complicated,” Elizabeth said, looking away.
“Do you think, Na—” His mother stopped him from saying his father’s name, placing a finger on his lips.
“Don’t say his name, please.” She sighed. “But I know he’s dead.”
Quintus removed her finger from his mouth. “Then why haven’t you let Gabe give you his mating mark?”
Elizabella stood, walked behind the counter and through the door that led to the kitchen. Quintus got up and followed her. It seemed whatever she needed to tell him was not to be heard by her customers and staff. Quintus spotted her standing by her office door waiting for him. Once he was inside and seated, he could tell she was uncomfortable with whatever it was she was going to tell him.
“Mama, you don’t have to tell me,” he told her.
“No, it’s time you knew the truth,” she said, then walked behind her desk. “You might think I’m crazy. Gabe says I’m stubborn.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That my blood will drive him into insanity?”
“What? Why would you think that?”
“It’s what happened to…” The words “your father” were left hanging in the air.
“I don’t understand?” Quintus said confused.
“My father, your grandfather was the Shaman of our cull. Before we were mated, he had warned me that our mating would be cursed if we went against his wishes. Any children we had would be safe, but I would be the one affected by the curse. I didn’t believe him. If he had said the fates or the gods were against our mating, I would have listened. I saw it as your grandfather’s way to have more control over me, and I wanted to break away from him. He never liked anyone I brought home, male or female. His wish was for me to follow in his footsteps and become the next Shaman. But it was not my dream. And at the time, I was young and in love with your father. But not long after we mated, I noticed small changes in Na…your father’s attitude. It would come and go, and I ignored it because I loved him. I figured things would work themselves out, eventually. I knew about the gambling debts, and I knew he had lost his job because of his addiction. But I stood beside him, because I thought it was what you did for your mate.”
Elizabella stopped speaking and Quintus could see she was trying to collect herself.
“You don’t need to finish, Mama. I know what happened next.”
“No, you don’t, Quintus.” She reached for some tissue and dabbed the corners of her eyes. “I’ve thought things through over the years, and I know in my heart that my father was full of shit. But in my head, I can’t stop thinking that I am cursed, and Gabriel deserves better than me.”
